Caravan Review: Majestic Caravans Navigator 196

During this year’s Victorian Supershow, I spotted the Majestic Caravans Navigator. It had been heavily revised for 2026. As a result, it looked almost like a completely different van to the Navigator 196 I reviewed in mid 2025.

Majestic has been producing caravans for a couple of decades, adapting to new market trends and employing new materials as they became available. When I think back to the first van from Majestic Caravans that I ever towed and reviewed – a Tiara with the old-style internal cabinetry hand-made from meranti and ply, clad with traditional ribbed aluminium – the difference is night and day.

While the difference between the new Navigator 196 and the one we looked at last year is not quite as stark, there were enough changes to warrant lowering its DO35 coupling onto the towbar of my borrowed D-MAX and hit the open road…

MAJESTIC CARAVANS UPGRADES

There are a number of aesthetic differences to this van for 2026. The most obvious: the addition of aluminium plating to the external joins in lieu of J-mould. Visually, I found the rear spoiler – another new feature to this van – appealing, and it works as a handy mounting point for an LED bar and a reversing camera.

For 2026, Majestic Caravans has also fitted a brand new rear bar. The old Navigator had a single piece of steel U-bolted to the chassis. This, however, is a much more practical unit. Fabricated from folded, powder-coated aluminium, the bar has drawer storage, a couple of lockable jerry can holders, a firewood box, and serves as the mounting point for the spare wheel. The entire back-end of this van is much more substantial than it was last year.

Majestic Caravans has also replaced the black checkerplate protection on all four sides with Raptor coating – a good move. Checkerplate has served the industry well, but it’s had its day, and as caravans styling changes, black checkerplate simply looks a bit low-rent.

Let me draw your attention to the underside of this van. Underneath, you’ll find two 95L water tanks as well as a 110L grey water tank. Each is protected by checkerplate (yes, I can live with it underneath) but Majestic has also wrapped the plumbing in agi-pipe for protection. Simple, effective and replaceable when it inevitably becomes shot-peened to pieces by gravel on the Oodnadatta Track. But better it happen to cheap agi than your expensive-to-replace pipes.

The previous Majestic Caravans Navigator 196 came with a 300Ah lithium battery, 500W of solar and a 3000W inverter. That’s been upgraded in this van to 400Ah of lithium, 750W of solar a 3000W inverter now comes as standard. The van uses a Projecta battery management system; however, due to the increased solar input, an additional (separate) MPPT solar regulator is provided. The inverter, by the way, is wired to each powerpoint. Just activate the inverter and plug in your 240V device.

The Majestic Caravans Navigator’s suspension system has also been given a big upgrade. Previously, the van rode on an independent trailing arm coil system. Now, it has a 4.5-tonne Cruisemaster XT airbag system complete with Cruisemaster’s Body Control System. The air-compressor is mounted beneath the van, with an outlet valve mounted nearby – simply connect an air hose to increase the pressure in your rig’s tyres.

You’ll find all of the usual gear on the nearside of the van: a roll-out awning, a picnic table, speakers, anti-insect lights and, new for 2026, a side storage module that’s recessed into the wall and which also serves as a fold-down picnic table.

Up front, on the extended A-frame, is a substantial storage box in two parts: the front section contains general storage as well as two 9kg gas cylinders, while a separate box just behind contains slide-out trays either side as well as storage space on top with a railing that would double as tie-down points for things that mightn’t fit in the tunnel boot or any of the other storage compartments on this van. The only thing I’d add: a stoneguard for the freshwater tap on the A-frame.

By now, you might be wondering what this van weighs. It tips the scales at 2846kg Tare, and has an ATM of 3500kg, for a payload capacity of 654kg. Unladen, the ball weight is 180kg. Now, this 2026 Navigator is about 250kg heavier than last year’s iteration, on account of the extra equipment now on board, but the ATM hasn’t changed. 

COLOUR ME INTRIGUED

Before we talk about the layout and interior features, let’s talk colours. Majestic Caravans appears fond of the green seen here – both the cladding and the interior finishes. It was the same colour scheme we had on our review Navigator last year. However, there’s a large range of interior and exterior colours and finishes from which to choose.

As for the build quality, Majestic Caravans Navigator 196 conveys a strength of purpose – in no way does it feel flimsy or cheap. The layout won’t set the world on fire; in fact, it’s essentially the same as our previous Navigator, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work – there’s a reason this rear-bathroom, forward-bedroom design is the most popular in the country, regardless of the manufacturer.

The most obvious update to the 2026 Navigator: the addition is acoustic panelling inside the bathroom and to the rear wall immediately as you enter. Majestic isn’t the first to include acoustic panelling, and I’m unsure as to the practical benefit here, but it certainly adds a layer of aesthetic sophistication that the earlier Navigators did not have.

The bathroom is fitted with a wall-mounted front-loader washing machine, circular mirror, a cassette toilet and a fibreglass shower cubicle. When turned on, the LED strip lighting below the overhead lockers really sets off the acoustic panelling which, by the way, has been wrapped around the electrical conduit to the washing machine, and the finish is top notch. The control for the Fogatti instant hot water service is found here too.

The same white sink is used in the kitchen, along with a gas stove, griller and oven; however, Majestic has now given the Navigator a waterfall bench at both ends – it’s a small change that, visually, does make a difference. Majestic has also upgraded the previous microwave to a convection microwave/air-fryer unit, while the fridge is now a 216L compressor unit.

The bedroom looks much the same. It still features two 12V fans mounted to the ceiling at the foot of the bed, a padded headboard, niches to the wardrobes complete with powerpoints – and here’s a neat touch: wireless phone charging pads inside each niche. I also want to point out that the diesel heater, which is mounted under the bed, has been housed in ply finished in laminate (the 3000W Projecta inverter is under the bed too. It shouldn’t be so noteworthy, but not all Australian caravan manufacturers would not think to protect equipment in this way. It seems silly, but it’s the truth. In any case, the result is under-bed storage space that you can use without having to worry about damaging the heater. The inverter is unprotected, but because of how it’s mounted, I’m less concerned about that.

I thought that the fit and finish of the furniture throughout was also done to a high standard. The ply cabinet looked nice and square – and the two floor-to-ceiling pantries, one either side of the van at the foot of the bed – are bound to be useful. These pantries/wardrobes are also a new addition.

The dinette is upholstered in the same faux leather as the padded bed headboard, and I have to acknowledge the 240V and 12V points fitted to the leg area of the dinette. That way, you can power/charge your devices while using them, without cables running here, there and everywhere. Overall, this remains a very tidy, solid interior.

SUMMING UP

Space precludes me from detailing every feature and component, but in the revised Majestic Navigator 196, I found a dependable, sturdy caravan that I feel would stand up well to the rigours of daily full-time travel.

As we’ve seen, the changes are more than skin deep. Yes, we have aesthetic changes, but we also have an upgraded 12V system with more solar, a substantial improvement to the suspension, Raptor coating over checkerplate, and quite a bit more. Further, it’s available in numerous layouts and sizes, from 18ft 6in to a 22ft 6in rear club lounge model. Which would you choose?

THE SCORE

FIT AND FINISH –

LAYOUT –

INNOVATION –

HITS & MISSES

MAJESTIC NAVIGATOR 196 SPECS